ABSTRACT
Most readers of this chapter likely have at least some knowledge of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM). Some may know that what is presently DICOM began as the American College of Radiology-National Electrical Manufac turers Association (ACR-NEMA) Standard. A few will remember something about how and why the Standard was developed and why the particular organizations responsible for it got involved. The development of DICOM represents one of the major enabling factors for picture archiving and communications systems (PACS). The history of the effort stands as an
example of how dedicated engineers, radiologists, physicists, and corporate administrators managed to achieve consensus on what were highly contentious issues.
